Christmas Lights Recall

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECEMBER 10, 1997
Release # 98-041

Company Phone Number: (787) 768-8020
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Yolanda Fultz-Morris, (301) 504-7066

CPSC, Importers, Retailers Announce Recall of Christmas Lights

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), four importers and two retailers are recalling over 332,700 Christmas light sets. The light sets have flammable plastic parts, bulb sockets that can fall apart, no fuse protection, exposed bare wires and undersized wires, presenting a fire hazard.

CPSC has received one report of a light set's bulb socket falling apart and exposing bare wires. No injuries have been reported.

The following tables list the importers and the retailers participating in this recall. There are no identifying markings on the light sets and the lights could be multicolored or clear.


Importer/Retailer	Description of Packaging	Description of Lights	Dates Sold	Where Sold

Rona Distributors Puerto Rico (787) 768-8020 Importer	Green, white and red box with snowflakes and Santa sleds Green, white and red box with snowflakes and Santa sleds Green, white and red box with snowflakes and Santa sleds	100 lights per string 5 way flashing lights 150 lights per string 3 way flashing lights 200 lights per string 10 way flashing lights	1996 1996 1996	Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Puerto Rico

Star Brothers Puerto Rico (787) 781-3898 Importer	Green box with "Three Kings," ornaments and musical notes Green box with "Three Kings," ornaments and musical notes	150 lights per string steady burning lights 200 lights per string steady burning lights	October 1997 October 1997	Puerto Rico Puerto Rico

La Reina Puerto Rico (787) 743-4445 Retailer	Red box with "Liberty" bells and ornaments or red box with Christmas tree Red box with "Liberty" bells	100 lights per string 5 way flashing lights 140 lights per string 8 function controller: "combination, in waves, sequential, slo-glo, chasing/ flash, slow fade, twinkle/flash, steady on"	1995 to 1997 1995 to 1997	Puerto Rico Puerto Rico

Island Recreation Long Island, NY (800) 773-6353 (in NY only) Retailer	White box with Christmas tree and elves	100 lights per string steady burning or flashing	1996 to 1997	NY

Advance International/ Holiday Industries Bronx, NY (718) 892-3460 Importer	Red box with yellow bow Red box with yellow bow Blue box	100 lights per string 2 way flashing lights 100 lights per string 5 way flashing lights 140 chasing lights	1994 1995 to 1996 1996	MA, NC, NY, TX MA, NC, NY, TX MA, NC, NY, TX

STK International Vernon, CA (800) 536-7855 Importer	Red box with Christmas tree	100 miniature lights per string steady burning or flashing lights	July 1996 through April 1997	CA, FL, NY, OH, PA, TX

Discount and dollar-type stores sold the light sets for about $1 to $8.

Consumers should stop using the recalled Christmas light sets immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For assistance in identifying these recalled light sets, consumers should call the companies listed in this release.